Earlier today we received this information from the BMC about Stanage Edge - a place many walkers and climbers love and use often. It is a great place to move from climbing on a wall to real rock. Anyway, I'll hand over to the BMC...

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is calling on climbers, walkers and everybody with a love for Stanage Edge, Derbyshire, to sign a petition to help safeguard its future.

Stanage is the most popular crag in Britain – maybe in the world – and a classic walking destination for millions of people who visit the Peak District every year. But decisions are being made that could change it significantly – and we need your help to state our case.

Forecasters have predicted that this weekend temperatures may soar up to 27°C - equal to that of the hottest day of the year about a month ago. That means that there are going to be loads more people on the hills. So the advice is, stay off of tourist destination mountains such as any of the 3 peaks, Helvellyn (especially Striding Edge), Catbells and any others.

Also make sure that you are caking on the sun cream since you will be more exposed to the suns rays on the mountaintops than you would be in a valley as there is less shade. Also be sure to take more water with you or a water purifier since you'll probably be sweating quite a bit!

Apart from that, make the most of it and take some pictures of the great views you get. Tweet them to us @mountainhikesuk!

Just an update on climbing maybe becoming an Olympic sport - Dame Kelly Holmes, double gold medalist has given her support to the bid. Saying “The proposed triathlon format for Sport Climbing’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games sounds like a great concept. I know climbing is very popular with young people and the format fits perfectly with the Olympic motto of Faster, Higher and Stronger. “I know the case for inclusion in the Olympic Games is becoming tougher all the time, it could go down to the wire when the final choice is made by the IOC in September. Hopefully the general public will see that Sport Climbing has a big future ahead.”

We will continue to keep you up to date with climbing's bid on becoming an Olympic sport as it (hopefully) gains yet more support.

We have stepped forward to support a new national campaign designed to get more people active in the outdoors, leading to a happier, healthier nation. Britain on Foot is launched this week and is being led by outdoor trade body the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA), backed by a powerful combination of consumer organisations, outdoor companies, influential individuals and public bodies, including Visit England and Change4Life. The Government is also getting behind the campaign, and ministers from the Department of Health and Department of Culture Media & Sport (incorporating responsibility for tourism) have voiced their support.

Speed climbing, lead climbing and bouldering are all sports that are being considered for Olympic status in 2020. This announcement came on the 9th March by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) after a group of International Olympic Committee (IOC) representatives visited the 2012 world climbing championships in Paris where lead, speed and bouldering competitions took place. This format will be championed by the IFSC gives its presentation to the IOC Executive board in May, along with seven other sports bidding to be included in the 2020 Olympics. The shortlist will then be narrowed down to 3 sports and the IOC's final decision should be announced by September.

Joint safety message from the MCofS and BMC

It will soon be Easter, but it’s still full-on winter in Scotland’s mountains. That’s the message behind this joint statement from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) and the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). The MCofS and BMC advise that climbers and hill walkers need to be realistic about the seriousness of the Scottish mountains at this popular time of year, and of the need to match knowledge and experience to mountaineering objectives. This Easter warning is being issued because:

Easter in Scotland is popular with groups travelling from further afield 

Easter is quite early this year 

The current winter conditions could continue through and beyond the Easter weekend.

Sadly this winter has seen a significant death toll on Scotland’s mountains, many of them related to avalanches. Avalanche awareness should be a key component of planning a trip to the mountains over the Easter holiday period.

Our climate is getting more extreme and you have to look no further than the UK last year: the wettest drought on record aswell as various other climate extremes across the globe. So, when we received an email about an info-graphic that has recently been produced to highlight these problems we thought it fit that we share it. You can take a look below: some of the facts are very shocking (its quite big: so you'll have to click read more if you haven't already!).

Today: after the recent fatal avalanches in Scotland the mountaineering bodies have issued the following safety reminder. 'With Scotland’s hills and mountains currently at their most beautiful and most challenging, mountaineering bodies today (21 February) have issued a joint safety reminder, emphasising the need for preparation before heading out into the mountains. Whether you’re out walking or attempting a technical climb, the presence of snow and ice adds an extra dimension to the risks and rewards of a day spent in our wildest environments. The primary consideration of every expedition, whatever the season, should always be a safe return. But conditions in winter make particular demands: shorter days, low temperatures and conditions underfoot which can quickly alter.

On Tuesday 19th 2013 the Brecon Beacons (in Wales) became the 5th International Dark Sky Reserve. That's one of only 5 places in the world! It joins 2 other British places: Exmoor (in Devon, England) and the Galloway Forest Park (in Scotland). The two other sites are Mont Mégantic in Quebec and NamibRand nature reserve in Namibia.

So really there's no better place to go wild camping than the UK: we do after all have 3 of the 5 International Dark Sky Reserves. Take a look at our guide to wild camping at http://mountainhikesuk.weebly.com/wild-camping.html to find out how you can enjoy those dark skies.

Today Cumbria voted against the proposed £12bn project to dump nuclear waste in the area which threatened the Ennerdale valley. Thanks to those of you who signed the BMC petition: you've helped save the area for future generations.